Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment her Department has made of the extent to which social media platforms’ moderation standards reflect UK standards of age-appropriateness.

Under the Online Safety Act, social media platforms are required to protect their users from illegal content, and children from content that is harmful. This includes taking measures, such as content moderation, to protect children from ‘priority’ content such as violent or abusive material and provide age-appropriate experiences.

As the independent regulator, Ofcom has recommended steps for content moderation that in-scope services can take to fulfil these duties. These recommended steps are included in the Codes of Practice for Illegal Harms and Protection of Children.

Ofcom has robust enforcement powers to ensure that platforms comply with their duties under the Act.

The government’s consultation “Growing Up in an Online World” consultation, seeks views on range of further measures to protect children online. We encourage responses before it closes on 26 May.